Page 29 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

The operation! Jasper’s hands flew to his abdomen. “They put a baby in me? Oh gods! Does Hawk know? Whose baby is it?”

Would Hawk reject him? Not want anything to do with him now that he was carrying a stranger’s baby? Jasper blinked repeatedly right before the trembling took over. I’m pregnant?

“Don’t worry. This child is Hawk’s and he knows all about it.”

Jasper furrowed his brow. “Is he really at a pack meeting with Nic? Or were you just saying that to let me down easy because he left and is never coming back?”

Asha fell into gales of laughter. “Oh, he’s definitely coming back! It took plenty of convincing from Nic to make him leave at all. But in the interest of taking down that awful laboratory and rescuing the other omegas, he agreed to fill them in on everything.”

Jasper pushed up on his elbows again, struggling to get his body to cooperate. “Then I should be there. I can give them some details about the prison, maybe help them figure out where it’s located.”

When the elderly healer was able to push on his chest with enough strength that Jasper fell against the mattress, it became clear how weak he actually was.

“Not necessary. Two of those shifters chasing you were captured by the Guardians and brought here. They were able to get most of the necessary info from them and your mate filled Nic in on the rest.”

“Oh.” Jasper tried to order his thoughts, the excited energy he’d just expended already taking its toll on his still-fragile system. “Then they’ll be rescuing the omegas soon?” The dark images from his nightmare returned. “I-I think they might be getting ready to kill them for some reason.” Tears sprung to his eyes. “My friend Sascha is still there.”

She laid a cold cloth across his forehead again. “Yes, dear. You were talking about him in your sleep.”

Jasper stroked his belly. A baby. Just like Nic’s omega, Elam. “Do you think the meeting’s over yet?”

Asha smiled. “Very soon, I expect.” She squeezed his hand. “And yes, you can meet Elam. I imagine you’ll have lots of questions for him.”

Chapter Eleven

The council meeting had gone on for almost two hours and Hawk was wrecked. He stood outside the hall waiting for Nic and doing his best to ignore the pointed stares of a few of the Alliance members who had maintained he was a traitor and couldn’t be trusted. Of course, David’s father had been one of the most vocal protestors, had tried to convince everyone that Hawk should be locked up and was clearly leading them all into a trap. Only Nic’s testimony that Asha had declared Hawk to be an ally had saved him from certain doom.

He jumped as his shoulder was clasped from behind.

“Come on,” said Nic. “Let’s check in on Jasper, then I’ll take you to my dad’s place. I’d have you stay with us, but Sophie will keep you up all night. She’s not a fan of sleeping.”

Nic’s gaze traveled past him and he frowned. Hawk turned to see what he was looking at and noted that David’s father and the other goofballs who supported him were whispering to each other and glancing in their direction.

Nic regarded Hawk again. “Once we take care of this experimental laboratory, it might be time to shake things up with the packs.” He grinned at Hawk and winked. “Of course, I probably shouldn’t be sharing that with a dangerous traitor.”

Hawk snorted, grateful that Nic had turned out to be a fair Alpha and one who only seemed interested in what was best for the Alliance.

After they drove the short distance to Asha’s, Hawk hopped out of Nic’s truck, anxious to see if Jasper was awake yet. And if he knows about the baby. Every time he thought about Jasper being pregnant, his emotions ran the gamut from excitement to terror and everything else in between. Would Jasper be angry about getting pregnant, be angry at him? He’s so young. Hawk couldn’t imagine Jasper wanting to be tied down with raising a child so soon. Or at all. It wasn’t as if they’d had the opportunity to discuss having a family.

The moment Asha opened the door, Jasper’s voice rang out. “Hawk! We’re having a baby!”

Hawk broke into a ridiculously happy smile. Jasper was full of so much life, why wouldn’t he want a baby?

Asha waved them in. “Come on boys. Let’s have some calm before the storm.” She grinned up at Hawk. “He’s been anxiously waiting to see you.”

Hawk dipped his chin. “Thank you for taking care of him for me, Healer.”

She patted his back as she encouraged him along. “Well now, we all have our roles within the pack dynamic. When you discover your true calling, then you’ll know what I mean.”

As Hawk made his way to Jasper, aching to hold him close, something about her words tugged at him.

Later. Right now, I need my mate. His happy smile returned. And father of my child.

Hawk sat down on the floor next to Jasper, petting the hair back from his forehead. Hawk mused that his color seemed much better, but he was still lying on the mat. Jasper held up his arms, silently asking for a hug. Hawk gathered Jasper in his arms and embraced him close, burying his nose in his neck.

“I’m so happy you’re doing better, baby. Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

Jasper clutched Hawk’s shoulders. “Speaking of babies, are you okay with this?”